# Best Practices: Room-by-Room Setup Guide # Best Practices: Room-by-Room Setup Guide Optimised settings and placement tips for common room types. These recommendations work for both EP1 and EPL sensors unless otherwise noted. --- ## Bathroom Bathrooms are ideal for presence sensors - automating lights based on occupancy works brilliantly here. ### Recommended Placement * **Position**: Corner of the room, aimed towards the toilet/shower area * **Height**: 1.5-2m from floor * **Avoid**: Mounting directly above the toilet (blind spot directly below) ### Recommended Settings | Setting | EP1 | EPL | |---------|-----|-----| | **Max Distance** | Match room size (typically 3-4m) | Match room size | | **Sensitivity** | Medium-high (6-7) | N/A | | **Off Delay/Latency** | 60-120 seconds | 60-120 seconds | ### Tips * Higher off delay prevents lights turning off mid-shower * Consider adding a humidity sensor trigger to keep the extractor fan running * EPL zones can separate toilet area from shower for different automations --- ## Bedroom Sleep detection and gentle wake-up automations are popular bedroom uses. ### Recommended Placement * **Position**: Corner opposite the bed, angled towards the bed * **Height**: 1.5-2m from floor * **Avoid**: Directly above the bed (difficult to detect lying down) ### Recommended Settings | Setting | EP1 | EPL | |---------|-----|-----| | **Max Distance** | Cover bed area only (3-5m) | Cover bed area only | | **Sensitivity** | High (7-8) for sleep detection | N/A | | **Off Delay/Latency** | 300+ seconds (5+ minutes) | 300+ seconds | ### Tips * **Sleep detection**: High sensitivity can detect breathing/micro-movements * **Partner-friendly**: Long off delay prevents lights triggering if one person gets up briefly * **EPL advantage**: Create a zone just for the bed area to detect "in bed" vs "in room" ### Common Issues * Ceiling fans can cause false positives - reduce max distance to exclude fan * Pets on the bed will trigger detection --- ## Office / Home Desk Desk presence is perfect for automating monitors, lights, and heating. ### Recommended Placement * **Position**: Mounted on desk or shelf, aimed at the chair * **Height**: Desk level works well * **Distance**: 1-2m from the chair position ### Recommended Settings | Setting | EP1 | EPL | |---------|-----|-----| | **Max Distance** | 2-3m (just covers desk area) | 2-3m | | **Sensitivity** | High (7-8) for typing detection | N/A | | **Off Delay/Latency** | 300-600 seconds | 300-600 seconds | ### Tips * High sensitivity detects typing and small movements * Long off delay handles quick trips to make coffee * **EP1**: "Distance & Speed Mode" shows exactly where detection is occurring * **EPL**: Create a small zone around the desk chair ### Automation Ideas * Turn on desk lamp and monitor when occupied * Start a "focus mode" after 5 minutes of presence * Turn off when leaving (with appropriate delay) --- ## Living Room Larger spaces benefit from careful zone planning, especially with EPL. ### Recommended Placement * **Position**: Corner of room with view of main seating areas * **Height**: 1.5-2m from floor * **Coverage**: Aim to cover sofa/TV area primarily ### Recommended Settings | Setting | EP1 | EPL | |---------|-----|-----| | **Max Distance** | Room size minus 1m (avoid detecting through walls) | Room size | | **Sensitivity** | Medium (5-6) | N/A | | **Off Delay/Latency** | 120-300 seconds | 120-300 seconds | ### Tips * **Detecting through walls**: If you get false positives from adjacent rooms, reduce max distance * **TV watching**: People sitting still watching TV can be challenging - use higher sensitivity * **EPL zones**: Create separate zones for sofa, dining area, and walkways ### EPL Zone Strategy 1. **Sofa zone**: Primary presence area 2. **Walkway zone**: Triggers immediate lights but shorter timeout 3. **Exclusion mask**: Block windows or areas causing false triggers --- ## Hallway / Corridor Fast response times are essential for hallways - you want lights on before you walk into darkness. ### Recommended Placement * **Position**: One end of the hallway, aimed down the length * **Height**: 2m+ to avoid triggering on pets * **For L-shaped hallways**: Consider two sensors or position at the corner ### Recommended Settings | Setting | EP1 | EPL | |---------|-----|-----| | **Max Distance** | Full hallway length | Full hallway length | | **Sensitivity** | Medium (5-6) | N/A | | **Off Delay/Latency** | 30-60 seconds (short!) | 30-60 seconds | | **On Latency** | 0 (instant) | N/A | ### Tips * **Speed is key**: Use minimal on latency for instant response * **Short off delay**: Nobody lingers in hallways * **EPL entry/exit**: Great for tracking direction of movement --- ## Kitchen Kitchens need to handle both active cooking (lots of movement) and passive presence (standing at the counter). ### Recommended Placement * **Position**: Away from the hob/stove (steam and heat can affect sensors) * **Height**: 1.5-2m, aimed at main work areas * **Avoid**: Direct line of sight to extractor fan or boiling pans ### Recommended Settings | Setting | EP1 | EPL | |---------|-----|-----| | **Max Distance** | Room size | Room size | | **Sensitivity** | Medium-high (6-7) | N/A | | **Off Delay/Latency** | 180-300 seconds | 180-300 seconds | ### Tips * Longer off delay handles time spent at the sink or counter * Avoid mounting near steam sources * Consider the fridge - door opening can trigger PIR --- ## Garage / Workshop Larger spaces with vehicles present unique challenges. ### Recommended Placement * **Position**: High corner, angled down * **Height**: 2m+ * **Coverage**: Focus on work areas, not parked vehicles ### Recommended Settings | Setting | EP1 | EPL | |---------|-----|-----| | **Max Distance** | Depends on layout | Create zones for work areas | | **Sensitivity** | Medium (5-6) | N/A | | **Off Delay/Latency** | 300+ seconds | 300+ seconds | ### Tips * **EPL zones**: Essential here - exclude the car parking area to avoid false triggers * Metal surfaces can reflect mmWave signals unexpectedly * Large temperature swings may affect readings --- ## Outdoor / Covered Areas :::warning The EP1 and EPL are designed for indoor use. Outdoor use is not officially supported and may void warranty. ::: If you do use sensors in covered outdoor areas (patios, porches): ### Considerations * Must be fully protected from rain and direct sunlight * Temperature extremes affect sensor performance * Wind can cause movement that triggers detection * Consider IP-rated enclosures ### Settings Adjustments * Lower sensitivity to reduce false positives from environmental movement * Shorter max distance to avoid detecting passing traffic or pedestrians * Test thoroughly in different weather conditions --- ## General Best Practices ### Power Supply Quality A quality USB power supply makes a significant difference. Poor or noisy power can cause: * WiFi connectivity issues * Erratic mmWave readings * False positives/negatives Use a reputable brand power supply rated for at least 1A. ### Mounting Surface * Mount on a stable, solid surface * Avoid surfaces that vibrate (near washing machines, etc.) * The ball joint mount allows fine adjustment of angle ### Multiple Sensors in One Room * Both EP1 and EPL can work alongside each other * Multiple EPLs in one room may interfere - use different channels if supported * Consider using one for presence and one for specific zone detection ### Testing Your Setup 1. Set up the sensor with default settings first 2. Observe behaviour for 24-48 hours 3. Adjust one setting at a time 4. Wait 10 seconds between changes (EP1) 5. Use the diagnostic entities to understand what the sensor "sees" --- ## Quick Reference Card | Room Type | Max Distance | Off Delay | Key Tip | |-----------|--------------|-----------|---------| | Bathroom | Room size | 60-120s | Higher delay for showers | | Bedroom | Bed area only | 300s+ | High sensitivity for sleep | | Office | 2-3m | 300-600s | Zone around chair (EPL) | | Living Room | Room -1m | 120-300s | Reduce to avoid wall penetration | | Hallway | Full length | 30-60s | Instant on, short off | | Kitchen | Room size | 180-300s | Away from steam/heat | | Garage | Zoned (EPL) | 300s+ | Exclude vehicle areas | --- **Documents** - [EP1 vs EPL: Which Sensor is Right for You?](https://docs.everythingsmart.io/s/products/doc/ep1-vs-epl-which-sensor-is-right-for-you-5B3RxiY3Kp) - [Everything Presence One (EP1)](https://docs.everythingsmart.io/s/products/doc/everything-presence-one-ep1-3R178yZSUP) - [Everything Presence Pro](https://docs.everythingsmart.io/s/products/doc/everything-presence-pro-nh3fIXmow9) - [Everything Presence Lite (EPL)](https://docs.everythingsmart.io/s/products/doc/everything-presence-lite-epl-ZVnBzYzuX2) - [Zone Configurator](https://docs.everythingsmart.io/s/products/doc/zone-configurator-93b9scGsa2) - [Knowledge Base Articles](https://docs.everythingsmart.io/s/products/doc/knowledge-base-articles-KnRRmk4zvt)